Wedding at Wangaree Valley

Barons of the Outback #1

by Margaret Way

Master of Wangaree Homestead Guy Radcliffe is from one of the most revered families in the Outback. Now he wants a wife, and a queue of society beauties are at his door! Alana Callaghan is from the wrong side of town and doesn't fit the glamorous, pampered world of the other girls. But that hasn't stopped her from secretly being in love with Guy for years—even though she knows he'll never view her as wife material. A wedding at Wangaree will take place—but can Alana be Guy's bride?

Genres: Romance, Harlequin

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 2007

About the author

Margaret Way was born and educated in the river city of Brisbane, Australia. Before her marriage she was a well-known pianist, teacher, vocal coach and accompanist, but her hectic musical career came to a halt when her son was born and the demands of motherhood dictated a change of pace.

On a fortuitous impulse she decided to try her hand at romance writing and was thrilled when Mills & Boon accepted her first effort, Time of the Jacaranda, which they published less than a year later in 1970; a feat that brought tears to her father's eyes. Some seventy odd books have followed resulting in a loyal readership whose letters provide a source of support and encouragement. A driving force in all her writing has been the promotion of her much loved country, Australia. She delights in bringing it alive for her readers; its people, way of life, environment, flora and fauna. Her efforts so far have not excited official recognition, but she expects one day she will be awarded the "Order of Australia."

Her interests remain with the arts. She still plays the piano seriously, but her "top Cs" have gone. She is still addicted to collecting antiques and paintings and browsing through galleries. She now lives within sight and sound of beautiful Moreton Bay and its islands, inspiration for some of her books. Her house is full of books, spectacular plants, Chinese screens and pots. She is devoted to her garden and spends much time "directing the design and digging and providing cold drinks and chocolates."

Reviews

[Christine]

This book just blew me away! I read it in one sitting. This is the second book in the last little while that in no way conforms to the expected Harlequin platform and should have been issued by Harlequin as a stand alone not under the Harlequin Romance banner!

Even though this book is a few years old, it's new enough to be relevant today. The more than duo POV'S made the story extra special. In reality there were four main characters and several important secondary characters and a few least important "other" characters in the book.

It was a fast paced story that spoke of true love current and past and how decisions made can affect people years later.

It had all we want in a book to capture us and reel us in. Romance, angst, sorrow, OW/OM hijinks, unrequited love and a beautiful HEA.

I recommend this read to anyone needing to turn off for a while or just to encapture yourself in a "book" world for a little while.

One of my most favourite reads in a while!

[SweetSweeede]

I found an old email in which I'd written to my friend about this book. This is a direct quote.

Okay, so I just had to share with you my frustration with the book I'm reading - "Wedding at Wangaree Valley". I'm 16% in and have kept reading thus far because I hope somehow it will get better. It hasn't.
The descriptions are all given a romantic shimmer - like even a house is lovely and the most wonderful thing one could ever see - and go on forever! And I *like* descriptions! It's not a historical romance, but the characters are acting as if they are, indeed, historical. Then there's the guy - cleverly named Guy - who the leading lady cannot seem to have a fixed view on. Conflicted emotions in all due respect, but she's describing him as a romantic hero and totally swoon-worthy (I've yet to see his allure, despite owning all the valley) and then ends it with stuff like "he has all the women swooning - but not me".

Ugh.

[Soniya Khushalani]

I have not read many Mills and Boons stories, but I have read enough to not pick it up again. Why I read this one...well a dear friend pushed it into my life.

What I don't get about this brand is why are men and women always so so pretty. Why are we so obsessed with "beauty". Why does love happen in only the most dazzling faces in the universe?

Love is truth of life that everyone clings onto. It is a potion which gets us through this life. I do not think anyone should put a face on it.

Every teenager picks up Mills and Boons when the first feelings of attraction surface. We definitely do not want to train the young minds like this :)

[Live2Read]

1.5 stars
Skimmed worthy only! An unsatisfying book. I found the main characters very droll. And the way Margaret Way goes about her dialogues, namely the flirting scenes sometimes really makes me feel like girl never flirted her whole life! Goodness, was it Violet Winspear or another oldie author that also tends to make flirting sounds the most cringe! I gotta locate that book and write a review, too. It was the most cheesy thing ever, and I’m sure that wasn’t the intention at all!

Here, the hero and heroine goes about in an odd, unnatural way especially at the dance scene. They were bantering and that equals flirting, in case ya was wondering. Just that I was just wincing with cringe at every line! Strange communication and personalities, if you ask me! DNR but again, it could hold droll interest!


Insert Cringe here. First take, Dance Scene.

[Hero]
“Absolutely. You didn’t really want me to treat you like an alluring woman, did you?”

[Heroine]
“Hey, I’m not the alluring one. You are.”

“Alana, that’s plain crazy! Men aren’t alluring.”

“Aren’t they? You should try reading some of Vi’s romances.”

“Violette reads romances? How delicious!”

(And we are not to be done with Cringe. It must continues!)

[Hero]
“It might be a good time to tell you, Ms Callaghan, that you’ve just about used up all my gentler feelings towards you.”

[Heroine]
So I should start to worry?”

“It might be an idea.”

“Does that mean you can say and do what you like, but I can’t?”

He didn’t answer. Silence had never seemed to say so much.

“Who would you reach for, Guy?”

“I won’t terrify you and say you.”

“You’re terrifying me just thinking about it. You’re joking—aren’t you?”

“Of course. But who could blame a man for wanting you near him, Alana?”

“You’re taking me somewhere, Guy. Where is it?”
(Physically, he’s not taking her anywhere in any sense here. What she really meant here was more like what do you mean, Guy? You’re onto something and what is it? Told ya, strange communications!)

“The big question is, do you want to come?”

“And leave my safe little world? It would be far too easy to fall under your spell, Guy. The result could be a lot of pain.” (See, they just flirting!)

“And you’re scared of that?”

“Absolutely.”

“So what is it about me that scares you? You certainly haven’t given that impression over the years.”

“You’ve never invited me to come close.”

“You were too young. Come closer now. You’re a beautiful dancer, by the way.”

“Have you just noticed?”

“I’ve always noticed.”

“You could have asked me to dance with you hundreds of times over the last couple of years, but you never have.”

“In the space of a few minutes the intervening years have disappeared. Maybe I thought you were being faithful to Simon?”

“Maybe I thought you were being faithful to Violette? Among others.”

“Remember what I said about being more careful?”

“Actually, I remember an astonishing number of things you’ve said to me. At my eighteenth birthday party you told me I was sweet. And smart.”

“Sweet, smart, and tart. Let’s see—I remember now. I could have added passionate, argumentative, with a good sense of humour and sexy but innocent too. Sad, beautiful, a wonderful daughter and sister. The best woman rider in the valley, and that’s saying something…”

“Now you’re using your fabled charm on me, Guy.”

“Is it working?”

“I’m not sure it would be wise to tell you.” She shook back her honey-blonde mane. “I feel sure you’re pledged elsewhere. Or you soon will be…”

And that’s a wrap for dance scene! Most Cringe scene is done! Thank goodness!

[Ellyn (Mrs. Darcy in my Dreams)]

This was strange book! It had the feeling of vintage Harlequin with all the “purple prose” yet with some modern markers thrown in (“I’ll call him on his Mobile”, h wore a sports bra, skin tight jeans). If those time period markers weren’t thrown in I would have sworn it was late 70’s/early 80’s. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was written there and tweaked for a modern publishing date (2008). I really didn’t like the h much, she was childish. The subplot of the H/h’s siblings would have been more interesting. The many, varied POV’s was the most annoying aspect.

[Linda]

It was an okay book, it was a typical Harlequin Romance. I liked the exotic location.

[PAINTED BOX]

Master of Wangaree Homestead Guy Radcliffe is from one of the most revered families in the Outback. Now he wants a wife, and a queue of society beauties are at his door!

Alana Callaghan is from the wrong side of town and doesn't fit the glamorous, pampered world of the other girls. But that hasn't stopped her from secretly being in love with Guy for years--even though she knows he'll never view her as wife material. A wedding at Wangaree will take place--but can Alana be Guy's bride?